3 Collaborative Writing

In the interest of supporting diversity and inclusion, the Micro-credential Toolkit and ‘How-To’ Guide will be collaboratively written and edited by contributors across diverse sector. Like any kind of teamwork, collaborative writing requires the entire team to be focused on a common objective; according to Lowry et al., an effective team “negotiates, coordinates, and communicates during the creation of a common document.”[1] The collaborative writing process, like the Tuckman team formation model, is iterative and social, meaning the team works together and moves back and forth throughout the process.

In the interest of maximizing output and creativity, we will approach writing the Micro-credential Toolkit and ‘How-To’ Guide using the Parallel Writing: Horizontal Division strategy. We encourage authors to contribute to the sections and chapters they signed-up for by voluntarily writing segments that play to their interest, experience, knowledge and expertise.

TABLE 1.1 Collaborative writing: parallel writing strategy[2]
Writing Strategy
When to Use Pros Cons
Parallel Writing: Horizontal Division

Members are in charge of writing a specific part but write in parallel. Segments are distributed randomly.

When high volume of rapid output is needed; when software can support this strategy; for easily segmented, mildly complex writing tasks; for groups with good structure and coordination; small to large groups

Efficient; high volume of output

Redundant work can be produced; writers can be blind to each other’s work; stylistic differences; doesn’t recognize individual talents well

 


  1. P.B. Lowry, A. Curtis, and M.R. Lowry, “Building a taxonomy and nomenclature of collaborative writing to improve interdisciplinary research and practice,” Journal of Business Communication, vol. 41, 2004, pp. 66-97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0021943603259363 
  2. (adapted from Lowry et al. [4]) 

Attributions

The chapter as a whole was adapted from Technical Writing Essentials, chapter on 4.3 Collaborative Writing by Suzan Last and Candice Neveu used under a CC BY 4.0 international license. Download this book for free at http://open.bccampus.ca.

 

License

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Micro-credential Toolkit: Project Guidelines Copyright © 2019 by Sandra Janjicek is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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